Issue Description

Secret Identities For Sale!

Batman, Robin, Commissioner Gordon, and several of Gotham City's finest, prepare to raid the secret headquarters of Mr. Incognito, the mysterious masked mastermind of Gotham City's underworld. With the Dynamic Duo leading the way, the officers storm Mr. Incognito's building. A fierce melee breaks out, as the Caped Crusaders, along with Gordon's officers, battle against Mr. Incognito's criminal forces. All the while, Mr. Incognito calmly watches from his throne. Seemingly out of nowhere, an apparent news photographer appears and begins snapping pictures. Officers roughly escort the man from the premises. Batman and Robin close on the still seated Mr. Incognito. Suddenly, a steel barrier descends, separating them from their quarry. By the time the police can cut through the adjoining wall, Mr. Incognito has escaped through a trapdoor, into the sewers. Though Mr. Incognito's syndicate is broken, Gordon is clearly disappointed that the man himself got away. Late the next day, Gotham City's mayor is approached by one Elwood Pearson, the photographer from the police raid. Pearson claims to have a photograph that reveals the secret identity of Mr. Incognito. For a cool million dollars, Pearson is willing to sell it. Pearson, an ambitious member of the paparazzi, sought out a way to get the exclusive photographs no else could. A gifted inventor, Pearson crafted a special camera that could shoot through solid objects, like walls, doors, or masks. Pearson gives the mayor one day to consider making the purchase.

Once Pearson departs, the mayor immediately contacts Bataman and Robin, and asks them to look into Pearson's background. Knowing his true identity, Pearson contacts Mr. Incognito, with an offer to sell a photograph that reveals the true identities of Batman and Robin. The price is, again, one million dollars. Batman and Robin arrive at Pearson's photography studio, and take the fire escape up to the roof. Mr. Incognito enters the studio through a secret basement entryway, one entirely unknown to Pearson. Producing the photograph of Batman and Robin, Pearson holds the picture up to a mirror. The reflected photograph reveals the faces of Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson. Looking in from the studio skylight, Batman and Robin are horrified to see their true faces revealed to Mr. Incognito. Fortunately, neither Pearson, nor Mr. Incognito, recognize the true identities of the Caped Crusaders. Crashing through the skylight, Batman and Robin descend into Pearson's studio. Mr. Incognito is quick to draw on the Dynamic Duo, who are quicker to take cover. While Robin distracts Mr. Incognito by hurling exploding flood light bulbs around him, Batman closes and disarms the masked mastermind. Robin takes down Pearson, After a brief struggle, Batman defeats Mr. Incognito. Though their faces are now known to Pearson and Mr. Incognito, the Caped Crusaders count on neither man ever learning the names that go with those faces.

Walk, Batman--To Your Doom!

Despite overwhelming and conclusive evidence of his guilt, Bunky Galliver is acquitted at his trial. Batman and Robin are summoned to the district attorney's office. The district attorney shows Batman a series of jury photographs, all from different trials. In each photograph, the same man, wearing a different disguise each time, appears as a juror at those trials. The man is identified as one Franklin Knott, an independent candidate, currently running for the office of Governor. Robin is sent undercover to keep an eye on Galliver, with an ear towards learning of the crook's next planned score. Batman, as Bruce Wayne, attends a political rally, in support of Knott's bid for the Governorship. Despite Wayne's distaste for Knott, he can't seem to shake the compulsion to vote for the man, come election day. Robin reports that Galliver is planning to hit the home of deceased millionaire, Barton Keller. Batman and Robin intercept Galliver and his gang, at Keller's mansion, and quickly take the band of criminals down.

Looking into Knott's background leads Batman and Robin to Gotham Junction, specifically to the isolated laboratory of scientist, John Grover. Grover's research into epsilon radiation resulted in the discovery of "E Rays". By varying the positive or negative wavelengths of the epsilon radiation, Grover discovered he could influence the behavior of the laboratory mice. Batman theorizes that Knott, Grover's former assistant, may be using the epsilon radiation to influence people. As if on cue, Knott appears and confirms Batman's notion. Before they can react, Knott bathes Grover and the Dynamic Duo in positive waves of epsilon radiation. Now compelled to follow his orders, Knott commands the trio to walk straight into Pima Lake. As the men walk farther and farther out into the lake, the water rises higher and higher. Remembering that he has already been influenced to vote for Knott, Batman focuses on the earlier compulsion, hoping that by doing so, he can override the command to walk into the lake. He does, then forcibly drags Robin and Grover out, locking them away until he can reverse the effects of the epsilon radiation. Batman catches up with Knott at another political rally, one where Knott is announcing his candidacy for President , and apprehends Knott.

Batman (1940)

Publisher

DC Comics

Volume Description

The entire run of Batman still stands upon large controversies over who actually came up with some of the characters. Bob Kane supposedly came up with the idea for the hero, but it has been suggested that he only came up with a "Bird-man" and Bill Finger suggested he be a "Bat-man". Both creators however, share credit for this character. As for the Joker, the first concept sketch was drawn by Jerry Robinson, but Kane disputed that his input was "minimal" suggesting he and Bill came up with the idea. Kane also finagled many legal aspects of Batman related print and media. Every movie and comic reads "Batman created by Bob Kane" when it should read "Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger". However It is not disputed that Robinson and Finger came up with the character, Robin after "Robinhood" . Bob Kane and Sheldon Moldoff co-created numerous bat-creations including Alfred Pennyworth, Poison Ivy, Mr. Freeze, Batwoman, Batgirl as well as Bat-Mite and Ace the Bat Hound just to name a few. Bill Finger also co-created Penguin, Riddler, and Catwoman.

Ad for Batman #1

One of DC's longest running books showcasing the adventures of the Dark Knight, Batman. Through out the years, a majority of Batman's marquee story lines have happened within the pages of this book including, but not limited to the death of the second Robin, Jason Todd, and Bane breaking Batman's back, leading to Jean-Paul Valley to assume the role of Batman for a period of time in the 90s.

In 2006, super-star writer Grant Morrison took over the book. Morrison wrote stories that introduced readers to Bruce's son Damian Wayne as well as putting Bruce through a series of near fatal trials against The Black Glove and Doctor Hurt, leading up to the epic 2008 story lines of Batman RIP and Final Crisis where Bruce Wayne had apparently died at the hands of the evil god Darkseid.

After Bruce's "death," and the Battle for the Cowl, Dick Grayson, the first Robin, took up the mantle of Batman, continuing to protect Gotham exactly as his mentor had. He even took in Damian as his own Robin. With the exception of two issues set prior to the events of Final Crisis, Dick Grayson has been the star of the book since issue #687.

When the super hero community learned that Bruce Wayne had never actually died, and was sent back in time by Darkseid, Dick Grayson eventually knew that his time as Batman would soon end. But with Bruce's return, and formation of Batman Incorporated, Bruce deemed Dick Grayson the Batman of Gotham City, as he traveled the world, searching for more recruits for his new organization.

Charles Paris has drawn the most issues of Batman thus far at 128. Denny O'Neil is a long time writer and editor at DC with 211 issues. He also contributed the location of Arkham Asylum as well as the characters Man-Bat, Ra's al Ghul and Talia al Ghul.

In September 2011, DC Comics relaunched their entire line in an event known as "The New 52" which would see the premiere of fifty-two new titles, thus the long-running Batman series ended with #713 during Tony S. Daniel's run on the title. In the new line, however, Tony Daniel will continue writing in the "Batman universe" but under the character's other main title, Detective Comics. The new Batman series will be written instead by Scott Snyder (who was writing Detective Comics pre-relaunch).

For Post Flashpoint volume 2, refer to Batman.

Trade Volumes that collect Batman issues:

Classic and Archived Batman:

Batman: A Celebration of 75 Years (#1, 49, 181, 497)The Joker: A Celebration of 75 Years (#1, 5, 25, 32, 85, 163, 251, 427)The Batman Chronicles Volume 1 (Batman #1, Detective Comics #27-37)The Batman Chronicles Volume 2 (Batman #2-3, Detective Comics #39-45, New York World's Fair Comic #2)The Batman Chronicles Volume 3 (Batman #4-5, Detective Comics #46-50, World's Finest #1)The Batman Chronicles Volume 4 (Batman #6-7, Detective Comics #51-56, World's Finest #2-3)The Batman Chronicles Volume 5 (Batman #8-9, Detective Comics #57-61, World's Finest #4)Batman: Arkham - The Riddler (#171, 179, 292, 317 & 362)

see also Batman Archives, Batman: The Dark Knight Archives, Batman: The Dynamic Duo Archives etc...

For late 60`s - 70`s comics...

Showcase Presents: Batman

Modern Batman (Post-Crisis)

Batman Arkham: Two-Face (#234, 346, 410 & 411)Tales of the Batman: Len Wein (#307-310, #312-319, #321-324, #326-327)Batman: Second Chances (#402, 403 & 408-416)Batman: Year One (Batman #404-407)Batman: The Many Deaths of Batman (Batman #433-435)Batman: Ten Nights of the Beast (#417-420)Batman: A Death in the Family (Batman #426-429)Robin: The Teen Wonder (Batman #428 and 442, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #100, Nightwing #101, Batman #428 and 442, Robin #126 and 132, and Teen Titans #29)Robin: A Hero Reborn (Batman #455-457 and Robin #1-5)Robin: Reborn (#455-457)Batman: Knightfall Part 1: Broken Bat (Batman #491-497, Detective Comics #659-663)Batman: Knightfall Part 2: Who Rules the Night (Batman #498-500, Detective Comics #664-666, Showcase '93 #7-8, Shadow of the Bat #16-18)Batman: Knightfall Part 3: Knightsend (Batman #509-510)Batman By Doug Moench & Kelley Jones Volume 1 (#515-525, 527-532 and 535-536)Tales of the Batman: J.H. Williams III (#526, 550 and 667-669)Batman: Road To No Man's Land (#555-559)Batman: No Man's Land Vol. 1 ( Batman #563-564, No Man's Land #1, Shadow of the Bat #83-84, Detective Comics #730-731, Legends of the Dark Knight #116)Batman: No Man's Land Vol. 2 (Batman #565, Shadow of the Bat #85-87, Detective Comics #732-733, Legends of the Dark Knight #117, #119, Batman Chronicles #16)Batman: No Man's Land Vol. 3 (Batman #566-569, Shadow of the Bat #88, Detective Comics #734-735, Legends of the Dark Knight #120-121)Batman: No Man's Land Vol. 4 (Batman #571-572, Shadow of the Bat #92-93, Detective Comics #736, # 738-739, Legends of the Dark Knight #125, Batman Chronicles #18)Batman: No Man's Land Vol. 5 (Batman #573-574, Shadow of the Bat #94, Detective Comics #740-741, Legends of the Dark Knight #126, No Man's Land #0)Batman by Ed Brubaker (#582-586 & 591-594)Batman: False Faces (Batman #588-590, Detective Comics #787, Wonder Woman #160-161, Tale from Batman: Gotham City Secret Files and Origins)Batman: Bruce Wayne-Murderer? (Batman #599-600, Batman: The 10 Cent Adventure, Detective Comics #766-767, Batgirl #24, Nightwing #65-66, Batman: Gotham Knights #25-26, Birds of Prey #39-40, Robin #98-99)Bruce Wayne: Fugitive Volume 1 (Batman #601, #603; Batman: Gotham Knights #27-28; Batgirl #27, #29; Birds of Prey #41, #43; Nightwing #68-69)Batman: Bruce Wayne - Fugitive (#603-607)Bruce Wayne: Fugitive Volume 2 (Batman #605, Detective Comics #768-772, Batman: Gotham Knights #31)Bruce Wayne: Fugitive Volume 3 (Batman #606-607, Detective Comics #773-775, Batgirl #33)Batman: Hush (Batman #608-619)Batman vs. Superman: The Greatest Battles (#612)Batman: Broken City (Batman #620-625)Batman Noir: Eduardo Risso (Batman #620-625)Batman: As the Crow Flies (Batman #626-630)Batman: War Games Volume 1 (Batman #631, Batman: The 12 Cent Adventure, Detective Comics #797, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #182, Nightwing #96, Batman: Gotham Knights #56, Robin #129, Batgirl #55, Catwoman #34)Batman: War Games Book One (New Edition) (#631)Batman: War Games Volume 2 (Batman #632, Detective Comics #798, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #183, Nightwing #97, Batman: Gotham Knights #57, Robin , Batgirl #56, Catwoman #35)Batman: War Games Volume 3 (Batman #633, Detective Comics #799, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #184, Nightwing #98, Batgirl #57, Catwoman #36, Robin #131, Batman: Gotham Knights #58)Batman: Under the Hood Volume 1 (Batman #635-641)Batman: War Crimes (Batman #643-644, Detective Comics #809-810, Batman Allies Secret Files and Origins, Batman Villains Secret Files and Origins)Batman: Under the Hood Volume 2 (Batman #645-650, Batman Annual #25)Batman: Face the Face (Batman #651-654, Detective Comics #817-820)Batman: Batman and Son (Batman #655-658, #663-666)Batman Unwrapped by Andy Kubert (Batman #655-68, 664-666, 686 and 700)DC Comics Presents: Robin War 100-Page Spectacular (#657)Damian: Son of Batman Deluxe Edition (#666)Batman: The Black Glove (Batman #667-669, 672-675)Batman: The Resurrection of Ra's al Ghul (Batman #670-671, Batman Annual #26, Detective Comics #838-839, Robin #168-169, Robin Annual #7, Nightwing #138-139)Batman: Batman R.I.P. (Batman #676-683)Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader (Batman #686, Detective Comics #853, Secret Origins #36, Secret Origins Special #1, Batman: Black and White #2)Batman: Long Shadows (Batman #687-691)Batman: Life After Death (Batman #692-699)Batman: Time and the Batman (Batman #700-703)Batman: Eye of the Beholder (Batman #704-707, Batman #710-712)Batman: Gotham Shall Be Judged (Batman #708-709, Red Robin #22, Gotham City Sirens #22, Azrael #14-18)

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